Hello 32

I turn 32 tomorrow. I can’t help but feel my age, plus a few more years. Then again, I have never been 32, so I really don’t know what this is supposed to feel like.What I do know is that I have 3 kids, and the youngest will be starting full-day kindergarten in the fall, so I wonder what I will do to fill my days. I have been so entrenched in the throws of motherhood for the past ten years that I am looking forward to getting to know me again.
On my birthdays I tend to reflect on where I am, where I’ve been and where I’m heading. I do that from time to time, but on my birthday, my mind gets the best of me. I allow myself to wallow too much about things, especially the past, I usually compare myself with who I thought I’d be when I turned 32, or any other age past, present and future.
But my life isn't as bad as I sometimes allow myself to believe. In fact, I have a lot of things to be thankful for: my health (okay, I’m not athletic or anything, but I’m not ill with anything serious), my wonderful supportive family, a tight circle of friends, and a lovely house to come home to (despite the laundry piles that never seem to go away).
But of course, I am brought up to always want more. I’m a cursed over-achiever and I have a problem settling. I’t does not mean that I'm ungrateful, but I’m always, always, always working towards something better. This explains why I’m busting my chops to earn a Masters degree, and why some days I’m wound up too tight, I guess that’s just how I’m wired.
In the course of living my life, I have misjudged a lot of things and a few people too. Most importantly, I misjudged myself, thinking I already don't have it all. Now I know better, life is about the journey, the process, and living to its fullest.
So, let's get back to where I started. Maybe this year, I should just pretend that turning 32 is no different than any other day. I should still expect the same things, seek out to do the same stuff and carry on as normally do or perhaps I need a new birthday tradition, something special in my own honour. Maybe I can celebrate myself, my achievements, who I am.. not just who I’m trying to be.
Okay, I am a creature of habit and into traditions but coming up with something new and creative, something original.... now that’s a challenge. Still, I’m sure I can figure something out. Gosh, this is tougher than I thought.
I've decided I won’t allow myself to be disappointed, no matter what happens tomorrow. There’s too may things to be happy about, and on the same note, too many things more worthy of my concern.
So in closing, happy birthday ‘ole girl. You’ve made it this far and who knows what lies ahead. Keep the faith and never, ever give up. The best is yet to come, Happy Birthday to ME!

Monday Mayhem

Busy me…. really made a day of today! Why is it that I always seem to use my ‘me’ time and keep so busy that there is no ‘me’ time.
This morning was my day to carpool, and I have to say that carpool is awesome, my and my fellow carpoolers set it up so we each only have to leave our homes once a week!! Well today was my day.
I use Mondays as my errands day. I ran the kids to school, went to the bookstore (25 miles away), and did my groceries. Now I sit here wondering what to do next, it’s almost time to get Ethan from school and I wonder if running home is a possibility.
I can sit and wait in the car but I didn’t bring my book or even a magazine! I didn't think to bring the computer with me, either, so this entry comes to you courtesy of AT&T wireless and my handy Blackberry and it only has one bar left!!!
I elected to hang out and I've done everything I can think of to do, short of cruising the local Starbucks.
I ran into Sherri at Kroger and thought maybe we could chat away my time but she had to go and I still had time to kill. Now I’m done with my grocery shopping and loitering in the grocery store parking lot trying to convince John Mayer that he should probably go ahead and do something else while he's waiting on the world to change.
Only 15 minutes to go... I think I'll go inspect the school parking lot now.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson, I need a time management class and instead of always packing goodies for the kids in the car, I need a mom bag filled with things to do when it is too cold outside and you’re trapped in your car waiting on school to let out!!!

30 Random Things about Me

Feeling the need to blog, but having nothing to say. So....tonight I will fill you in on me.
Okay here goes:

1. I have 3 kids and a great husband.
2. My feet grew a whole size after having kids. If I have more kids, I will have to get shoes made. 3. I can juggle busy schedules, without losing it.
4. I don’t like drama.....I was an infant, pretty standard.
5. I have a twin sister.
6. I love Starbucks, White Chocolate Mocha when it's cold and Black Tea Lemonade on a hot day! 7. I played softball and basketball in High School, and I wasn't very good!
8. I put my kids first....ALWAYS!
9. I’m not a big reader, but trying real hard to become one so I joined a book club! Well, its a Wine & Book club.
10. I used to wear glasses and contacts
11. I had Lasik and love it!
12. My kids play soccer.
13. I guess that makes me a soccer mom.
14. I drive a minivan, so I guess that confirms my "soccer mom" status.
15. I make friends very easily.
16. I love the beach.
17. I love shopping.
18. I love shopping at the beach.
19. I'm a night owl, I think I have insomnia.
20. I have never broken a bone.
21. I'm not big into jewelry. However, if you want to give me some, I won't turn it down!
22. I usually run late. It drives my husband crazy.
23. I have more than one best friend.
24. I don't really like breakfast food, unless I'm on vacation.
25. I need a vacation!
26. I'm afraid of hurricanes and tornadoes.
27. I love to scrapbook, quilt, and knit. I'm a crafty mama.
28. I've never seen the Star Wars movies...(and I know what you are thinking)
29. I was picked on, live on the radio about never seeing Star Wars! and I didn't even win free movie tickets!
30. I am very happy with my life, my family, and my friends!

Can I do it?

I'm attempting to type an entry using my phone.
I'm in the carpool lane and bored.
Ethan is too involved in his Nintendo DS and I left my book at home.
It's too cold to go anywhere and I am dreading a potentially awkward conversation with someone.
I only have to wait for fifteen minutes and still I am bored and cold.
So, now I'm going to look for "publish" and see if this works or not.

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

It's official, my house is not the boring house!

I always thought that I wouldn't have the cool, fun, house where all the kids wanted to hang out. I thought that all of my kids friends wouldn't settle here for parties, play dates, and days off. Turns out, we're so much the place to be.

At first I thought the kids wouldn't like it here because we are 'stricter' with our kids than some of their friends parents (and by strict I guess I mean that we don't give in to our kids every whim)! I never thought I'd be a strict parent by any stretch of the imagination and I still don't consider myself that way, but there has to be some rules. Just because we take our shoes off at the door, have no food in the carpet areas, clean up after ourselves, have early bedtimes, and we like our kids home for dinner and in the house on school nights, that doesn't make us strict, does it? Maybe it does.
Being without a lot of the high tech modern stuff that kids these days like to play with, I can still show my kids and their friends a great time. Whatever it is, our house was officially deemed fun by my daughter and her friend this weekend. Now I am on play date overlord. I'm the activities director if you will. If playing here is fun, surely it must be because I make it that way.

See, I always thought that it would make play dates fun if you got to do things that you don't get to do at home. Or things that you might not do at other friends houses. I think that making popcorn and watching movies is fun. I think that doing art projects like making cookies and painting mugs is a lot of fun, and my kids do too. I don't think I've met a kid yet that turned down scissors, glue, ribbon, and stickers.

Sites I visit frequently:

http://familyfun.go.com/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/

http://www.parents.com/fun/

The kids who come here have me as a friend as well. They don't come over just to keep my kids occupied while I do laundry. I get involved in their play dates. I have NO problem playing candy land (for the hundredth time), playing hide and seek, dressing barbies, and coloring with them (and trust me they ask me to do so). Turns out that if you don't have a Wii, an X Box 360, and a cell phone to call other kids from your class on to let them know you are playing, it can still be fun.

I was certainly not going to give in to the pressure to get our kids things that we don't think they need, just to please the elementary school set. My kids have always been very grateful for what they have. They don't beg for things that they see other kids with, well not too much. All I want is for my kids to have fun and happy childhood. I want them to fit in with their friends. I want to like playing at home. Maybe if we keep doing what we are doing, keep teaching what we are teaching, the kids will continue to want to play here. Maybe the kids who come here will go home and tell their parents that that they don't want to play Wii today, that they'd rather make cookies and paint pictures?! Maybe not.

A Change of Clothes

I've been super good about not shopping lately...at least, that was until I found myself shopping for girls winter boots. Why did Sydney have to outgrow her old boots and force me into the shoe isle??? While I was out, I figured I'd take a quick peek at some shoes in my favorite stores and would ya know it...a quick peek turned into a shopping spree.
Since moving to Texas, my mommy clothes became just comfy clothes. You know the yoga pants with a classic tee and maybe a hoodie in case I get chilly. But when I was invited to dinner with some friends, I had a rude awakening!!! I rambled through my closet, grabbed my favorite pair of jeans, and couldn't find anything else. I realized that my closet and I need a makeover. I need to change my hair and I do have some trendy clothes but they were trendy two years ago! I need a change but just a little one so I decided to add a splash of color to my ordinary wardrobe. It's hard to shop when you wear scrubs all day, then come home and just want to be comfortable. But, I came to realize that I don't want to be one of those moms that just looks "comfy" all the time, you get my drift.
What I did find is that there are bargains EVERYWHERE and I found plenty. Here are some of the things I bought.

I just love shoes!

I needed a new set of the basics, a white shirt and a good fitting pair of jeans....any day and anywhere!

I have become a big fan of pashminas, I have about ten now but I just love my new green one!

But I just love my new accessories!
I felt guilty about spending on myself. I thought I'd go through my goods to decide what I absolutely can't live without and what can be returned. The problem is that I don't actually want to return any of it. Out of everything I got, nothing is uncomfortable and all can be mixed and matched. How do you make yourself return something that you don't actually want to return, especially when you only feel obligated to return it because you think you spent too much?
There is no real good reason for that so, you know what? I’ll just keep it all, I think I deserve to be pampered a little right? Yeah I think so.

Color Me RED

Not like I needed another reason to visit Starbucks but…… I got an email from Starbucks that read something like this:

STARBUCKS (RED) Is Already Saving Lives
Every time you use your Starbucks RED Card to pay for purchases at participating stores between January 3, 2009 and December 31, 2009, we'll contribute5¢ to the Global Fund to help save lives in Africa.And the numbers are really adding up! In just the few weeks that the drinks have been available your purchases have helped generate a contribution to the Global Fund that can provide more than 1.4 million days of antiretroviral therapy for people who need it. This means 3800 people living with HIV could get a year’s worth of medicine, all because of you making a simple choice at your favorite coffee shop. Thank you to everyone who has helped mark this historic launch of our partnership - we couldn’t have done it without you. And keep buying STARBUCKS (PRODUCT) RED to do something good every day. If you haven’t been there already make sure to check out www.starbucks.com/red where you can join the Starbucks community and pledge your commitment to purchasing the (STARBUCKS) RED EXCLUSIVE beverages this holiday season. And once you’re there be sure to join the (RED) team in uploading your favorite photo - capturing you to the power of (RED) too!

So........

I went out and got one!
I feel strongly that we have to work together to solve these problems: AIDS, TB, and Malaria. So, the next time you crave your white chocolate mocha, visit your Starbucks and please consider getting a card, it costs nothing and does so much!

Sunday on the Square

Our family spent Sunday afternoon downtown, taking advantage of the beautiful weather and antique shops. We love going downtown, there are unique little shops and old fashioned mom and pop restaurants, just being down there warms your heart. We had lunch at Herby's Soda Fountain, it had a 50's feel, I kept waiting for Fonzie to come through the door. Aside from old fashioned root beer floats, there are 20 flavors of ice cream ready to add a kick to shakes, malts and sundaes.
Half the restaurant is an antique shop so, Silvia and I looked around while we waited for lunch. The food was great!



After having a wonderful lunch at Herby's we walked the square, window shopping our way to Mom & Popcorn, the kids favorite candy store!! You can choose from over 40 popcorn flavors, including Loaded Potato, Cotton Candy, Salsa Verde, and Parmesan Garlic. Personally I like the Cajun flavor. The lined up candy jars and barrels filled with candy cigarettes, sixlets, taffy and big chew gum remind me about being a kid again.They also have Coca Cola and homemade fudge!!! We love it!! It was such a nice family day.

The Critter Man

Ethan went to his friend, Pete's birthday party. Pete had a special guest: The Critter Man. He was so cool! He brought an educational and interactive experience for the children. He brought live exotic animals including legless lizards, snakes, spiders, frogs, bugs and more. It's all Ethan talked about tonight! He recalled all the facts that he learned like, snakes don't blink and alligators have special goggles and shows a special interest in these animals now, yikes!! It was a great time for all the kids so I include the critter man's email in case anyone is interested.
http://www.critterman.com/

Go Gators!

Last night was the big Florida vs. Oklahoma National Championship game. We decided to invite some good friends over. Mike and I are not huge football fans but it does appear on the television from time to time. Anyway...we had a great turnout: guys to watch the game, women to socialize, and the kids to play with their friends. The only bad thing is that it was on Thursday, a school night, which threw my kids way off schedule. I have to admit, I myself thought it felt like a Friday night. The game was good, we all cheered the Gators on and had so much fun.

The kids doing the GATOR CHOMP!

Random Thoughts

Life is so full of ups and downs. That is why when life is good we need to embrace it but, it scares me so much sometimes. I always have so many thoughts running through my head that I wish were not there. Like I always say I am way too sensitive for this world. I am so scared of the future: where I will be, what my kids will be like, and if I have made a difference. I've been worrying about that for years. I know that I need to get something for my anxiety. I do feel secure about one thing: that I will have good friends in my life and a strong family. I am putting good things in so I know good things will come of it. Life is amazing and complex............I wish I could strengthen that and not worry so much.

It's cold outside

Today was another cold, rainy day, Brush Creek was lined with iced garbage cans and full of silence today. It was 30 degrees and everyone was enjoying the day indoors. I spent the day in my pj's and had the crock pot going with warm soup for dinner.



In reality, I kind of enjoy this weather. It's moody and quiet and I love the way the fog/mist/clouds hand over trees. In fact, I took a drive to enjoy the scenery and stopped by Starbucks to get a salted carmel signature hot chocolate (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!) to really set my cold weather "mood".
We lit the fireplace while we enjoyed our hot chicken corn chowder and freash french bread. It was a perfect winter day.

PS yes I was the nut taking pictures of the icicles today!

If I Knew Then.....

I was 22 years old before I had kids, and I mistakenly thought I knew it all.
I had a college education, a great paying job, and I helped raise a little brother and sister.
What could be so hard?
But I quickly discovered I knew nothing, nothing at all.
Things I didn’t know before I became a mom:
If a kid says, “I’ll put it away in a minute,” that is a code for “don't hold your breath”
Kids will run into traffic without looking, if you let them
selective hearing, WHAT?
Never fill a child’s cup more than half full
I will never again be able to find a pair of scissors in my own home
White furniture and children, don't mix
most kid problems can be solved by a snack or a Band-Aid
but......
in their eyes you're the most beautiful person in the world
You have little ones who just adore you
You can spend lots of money - without feeling guilty!
Having children brings you closer to your own mom
You enjoy “alone time” even more
Tickles and laughing at absolutely nothing, it's great to act like a kid again.
Saturday morning cartoons!!!
You become a gourmet cook
A better reason to have Cookie Crisp & Spaghettio's in the pantry again
You make new friends who understand your hopes and fears.
One word: HUGS!

Laundry Piles

Mike and I have been working on organizing the house. We are having a lot of fun hoping and dreaming of the outcome, our big project right now is our laundry room.

Here's the plan:
A clean organized laundry room that doubles as a mud room. Simple and clean, with baskets for storage.

Since I am not the person who "keeps up" with the laundry the way I should, I constantly ask myself why do I need a laundry room makeover?

Here is what I came up with...... I am not a person who "keeps up" with the laundry. I wait, until it gets so overwhelming and I either need an Intervention or a Cloning Machine in order to get it done in a timely fashion. I'm not a laundry person. My kids have enough clothes to last them for a few weeks, so, why should I do it every week? I know, BAD Sonia. I constantly have 'Mount Everest' in my laundry room. Let's think about it. Five people create a lot of towels, socks, and underwear, on a daily basis. Thing Three, can only wear stuff once, because he's all boy, and doesn't really care what his clothes look like and can wear shirts three times, because he's meticulously clean and isn't old enough to sweat. So, there you go. And Thing Two just "hides" all her dirty clothes in drawers instead of the laundry basket so I never think she has any dirty laundry, and I am scared because she's always asking for clean socks, and she has more pairs than all of us combined. So she either eats them or throws them away after she wears them. I'd better look into that...Anyway, I'm currently "buried in laundry" but since I have to get together for the school start on Monday, I've gone and raided all the kids rooms looking for their clothes. And after doing that, I have a few questions, and I've discovered a few things:

1) Why is it that my kids can't put clothes in the hamper? There were more clothes on the floor of the bathroom than the hamper. What is so hard about 'Picking Things Up And Putting Them Away?'

2) Why is it, that I am STILL finding CLEAN clothes in the dirty clothes hamper? WHY??? WHY???

3) Thing One has been hoarding every washcloth in the house. They're all in her shower. I counted four of them the other day. What's wrong with REPEATING uses? And then, what's wrong with PUTTING THEM IN THE HAMPER???

4) What's wrong with using a bath towel two or three times? WHY do we need a new towel every shower? We RUN OUT OF TOWELS if you use a new one each time...Okay, I had to get that out of my system.

I'm up to my ears in laundry, and hopefully the new laundry room will help us get a good start on staying organized. Maybe, just maybe it will inspire the whole family..., one can only hope, right?

vacation is almost over

Today was a great day. The kids and I played candyland and playdoh today. The weather here was once again-warm- so they also enjoyed playing outside with their friends. It's the last weekday off before the kids go back to school and I find myself wondering where the days went.I asked the kids what their favorite part of this holiday break was, and they said Christmas, sleeping in, and working on our 2000 piece puzzle with family and friends. I had so much fun with them during these last two weeks, it's sad to see them go back to school already!
Tomorrow I have to get caught up on groceries, laundry, and schedules.I am going to attempt a step class with Jess in the morning and Ethan has a party to go to at the little chefs academy in the afternoon, it should be yet another fun day!!