Quite possibly my favorite compliment

We all struggle. We are all trying to get through the day the best way we can. And sometimes we feel like we are coming up short. The dishes don't always get done, every item isn't in its place, the kids seem to be more cranky than happy and dinner looks more like breakfast (eggs anyone?)

Because we all struggle, we all need a lift.

Today, I dropped Missy off at a friend's house and my little guy and I went to the dentist. After the hygienist cleaned my teeth the dentist walked in and asked, "How old is your baby?" "2.5 months," I said. I thought she would mention how big he is so I was surprised when she said, "You look great." I blushed. What exactly does that mean? Oh well, I'll just make up something in my mind like she thinks my abs are rock solid and my hips aren't the size of the grand canyon.

The best part of the compliment came when she said, "You look like you have live-in help." Whoa. She thinks I have my act together? She thinks my house is clean? She thinks all my meals are healthy? She thinks I know how I'm going to get the YW mutual activity ready by Wednesday, get to a baby shower Thursday and have a talk ready by Sunday all while keeping a 2.5 year-old-non-napping-preschooler and a 2.5 month old baby fed, entertained and cared for?

Wow.

So yeah, we all need compliments and that definitely gave me a boost.

What has been your favorite compliment as of late?

I thought I was unfulfilled

Tonight after a pretty blah day of just trying to keep up with the house and kids plus a big bedtime blow-up with my daughter, I asked my husband if my life was fulfilling. Of course he told me I needed to decide that for myself. I told him that I felt like life was moving on without me.

Then...I met Abby on the TV show "The Biggest Loser." She lost her husband, daughter and baby boy in a car accident. After hearing her story, I sobbed. I realized how much I love my family and how important they are to me.

So even though day-to-day life isn't terribly interesting and I feel like I'm just keeping my head above water, I'm doing it because I love them.

How has motherhood been treating you lately?

I Quit

Today is the eve of my due date, so I decided to quit life for a little bit. I've had contractions all day and I feel a little stretched. I decided I don't need to be as physical as I have been lately. Not that I've been working out..no...no...no...far from it. But I have been out shopping, hauling boxes up and down stairs and setting up house. Today I should have gone in to get the car fixed but fortunately, they didn't have the part yet. Good thing because I think I just need a break. I watched a movie last night and will hopefully find something good tonight. I had My Hero help with dinner and clean-up AND Missy's bath time. Ahhhhhhhhhh. I feel like I'm really getting the night off. I usually feel bad when I have My Hero help out after he's had a long day but since I'll be spending a few days and nights in the hospital I want him and Missy to get used to each other.

I'm thinking...if I'm ever pregnant again I do not want to move, fly, have hubby away, or be enrolled in a class. I want to live in one place and just wait.

Yep...I quit. And it feels pretty good. :)

I will not.

I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my duaghter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.
I will not take my daughter shopping during nap time.

There. I think I learned my lesson.

Life of the "New Girl"

It's sad to be the new girl and have no one notice your new haircut. Oh well. I guess I'll just get used to it.

Do you like being new or do you hate it?

My husband was right

My husband is right about lots of things but this one in particular I want to point out.

A few months ago, My Hero suggested the purchase of a GPS unit for the car. "Ugh" I balked. "Can't we just go on Google maps and scratch down the directions on the back of a receipt in purple ink? That would save a lot of money."

We did buy the GPS unit and it has become my best friend. I especially enjoyed it's friendship today when I drove into Baltimore for the first time. So many streets, so many jay-walkers, but that little voice kept me focused. On the way home I had to detour because of construction and she just figured out a different way. Oh how she makes life so peaceful and secure.

I really am so grateful for that little piece of technology and I am grateful for My Hero for being so right!

What about you? What piece of technology do you love right now? Do you love it or secretly hate it if your hubby is right?

The Equation in my Mind

My feelings of worth, when it comes to motherhood, waver from time to time. During some moments I feel like nothing is more important than what I am doing, and other times I feel like I'm at the bottom of the food chain.

For the past few weeks I've definitely been low. Moving across the country and not having a home for a week and now waiting for "things" in an empty house has added to feelings of inadequacy. "What is it that I do again?" I ask myself. What makes it even harder is the fact My Hero is making the most amount of money than he ever has in our 5 years of marriage. Good, yes, I'm not complaining. It's just that I compare myself in a big way. We have been going out and making big purchases for our home and family and I can't help but feel that he is more important because he makes the money. The equation in my mind goes like this: Making Money=Important, I don't make money=I'm not important.

Fortunately, after hitting a low there is no where to go but up! This morning Missy was helping me make breakfast (her new favorite task). I said, "Ok, let's make eggs." "Pan," she says, and heads to find the pan. Then I got her up on the counter to help. "Butter," she says. Then, "Cook" then "Careful." I couldn't believe all the words that were coming out of her mouth and I suddenly realized that she learned them all from me.

Later, we sat down in our camping chairs and upside down diaper box to enjoy our breakfast together and for the first time I asked, "Missy would you say the prayer?" "K" she says and puts down her juice. She folds her arms and brings them up to cover her eyes and begins, "Heavenly Father, mumble mumble, Food...Eggs...Amen!"

So, I may not be able to buy a car but I teach my little one how to speak, and I'm not able to buy new furniture but I teach my daughter to pray. It makes me realize how perfect the Lord's plan is to have a husband who can provide and a mother who can nurture. I guess I'm not at the bottom of the food chain after all.

What about you? How have you been feeling lately?