Monday, September 29, 2014

Brain Damage

I thought I would share a little funny video today! I have always loved Bill Cosby and I love him even more now that I can relate to his parent jokes!

Enjoy!


Thursday, September 18, 2014

Myth Busted: I'm "just" a mom.

I would like to bust a myth. The myth that I am "just" a mom.

Yes, I am a stay-at-home mom.
Yes, My first priority is my child.
Yes, I talk about her a lot.
Yes, sometimes she is the only person I talk to all day.

BUT

I am still an individual who has a life with my own goals, trials, heartaches, and talents.

As a society moms are often looked down upon or put on a lower pedestal than a woman working toward a degree, in medical school, or making 100,000+ a year. "Your "just" a mom because you couldn't possibly do anything else with your life" or "your "just" a mom, what do you do or know about anything?" There are many theories of why people think this way. I have narrowed it down to a few myths people tend to believe.

THE MYTHS:
1. Moms couldn't possibly have time for anything else other than being a mom, so that's all they do. 2. Being a mom is a think-less job.
3. Moms are moms because they weren't qualified or motivated enough to do anything else with their lives.
4. Life couldn't possibly be that hard because Moms stay at home all day.

THE BUSTED MYTHS:
1. Yes, it is hard to find free time as a mom, and yes it is something that I struggle with, BUT I DO find it. I am a mom, and I strive to be a good one, BUT I also have hobbies, goals, and talents. I'm still the same person I was before having a baby. In my free time I work on art, crafts, scrap-booking, running, blogging, etc.. Some moms go to work, others stay at home, some sell their crafts or art online, some write, give service, or fulfill a need in the community. We are not JUST moms. We are not only making a difference in our children's lives but those around us as well. If someone asks me what I do, I say I'm a mom. The conversation usually stops there. A good follow up question for this would be: what do you enjoying doing? What are some of your hobbies? what projects are you currently working on? (most moms have one)

2. Speaking of "just" being a mom. When did this word "just" get put in front? As if being a mom WERE a think-less job. "Oh, that's ALL you do". If being a mom were a think-less job, there would be way less crime, hate, and abuse in the world. Being a mom is hard work. If I'm sick, I STILL have to get out of bed. I don't get to call in sick. I plan my baby's whole day: when she eats, what she eats, how much she eats, when to sleep and for how long, I make sure she gets her daily exercise, bath, play time, learning time, t.v. time, and love time. I change her diaper at least 5 times a day. I have to discipline her; No, don't touch that, eat that, throw that, spit that, touch me, or hit me. If she wakes up in the middle of the night, I'm there. I clean up toys, splattered food, throw up, and spit up. I have been more exhausted sometimes after a full day with her then after working a 12 hour shift. And I've done both! Since when did pushing a human being out of you and then raising them for life become "just" some job?

3. Believe it or not, I am the same individual now that I was before I had a child. Now, of course we all change and grow up, as I have previously acknowledged, but I'm still Charlie. I don't disappear because I have kids. I still dream, I still have things I want to accomplish for myself and for my family. I still enjoy hanging out with friends, having a good time, and seeing a movie. I still push myself to be a better person and disciple. I have talents that I work on and some that I want to develop. I went to school. I got a degree. I've worked to earn a living. I did a study abroad program, I've had several job opportunities, I've met all kinds of people, made all kinds of friends and had all kinds of experiences. Yes, these have prepared me to be a mom, but they also make me the person that I am. I didn't give up a career because I wasn't qualified or motivated, I gave it up because I chose to stay at home with my kids. Don't write me off because I have kids. I am still a person, and I can still DO things.

4. I have often heard and talked to moms who have been a working mom, and then later made the decision to stay at home with their kids. A lot of these moms say staying at home was harder. Now, I'm not saying that this is always the case nor am I saying that working moms don't have it hard, cause they do. What I AM saying is that being a stay-at-home mom isn't always sunshine and puppies. It is hard work! (as explained in #2) It is my career. A very much underpaid career, BUT a career nonetheless. It is a struggle, but one that I endure because I know that I can make a difference in my children's lives and, consequentially, a difference in the world.

For all I know I could be raising the next Sheri Dew, Marjorie Hinckley, Oprah Winfrey, Mother Theresa, Michelle Obama, or Sheryl Swoops. Haha, :)

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Year One: Part II, Things I still struggle with

Part II

Although I have learned and grown a lot over the past year, I have also struggled and continue to struggle with certain aspects of being a mom: (If anyone has or had similar trails and struggles, please share.)

- I don't like being alone. Let me rephrase. I HATE being alone. At least 3 times a week I'm at home by myself for a major part of the day. Steven works and goes to school, so some days I don't see him until late at night. I try to make meaningful connections with those around me, but I still find days where I'm alone with my thoughts. My thoughts are not good to me.

- I don't feel very productive or accomplish some days. I could clean my whole apartment, feed, clean, and watch a baby, budget our money, run, AND make dinner and I still feel unaccomplished. I try to make a to do list so that I can check off and see all the things that I've done. I also try to report all the things I do to my husband. I think a big reason for this is that half the things I do are seen by no one and no one outside my family depends on me. Half the things I do can be put off until tomorrow.

- Sometimes I miss doing what I want when I want to do it. I miss spending almost all my time with Steven, going on vacations, having extra money, staying out late, and running an errand that takes 10 minutes, to only take 10 minutes. I hate that sometimes I get caught up in thinking about the past, and how much easier things were back when. I usually kick it out of my head now, but it still pops up every once and a while.

- It scares me to think of having more kids. I'm still afraid to have more kids. I know that I will, and I feel like I will, but it still scares me. I never wanted my kids to be very far apart in age, but now I try to measure how far apart I can make them while still being in the same decade. I feel as though I can barely handle one. How am I suppose to handle 2? Let alone, 3?

Looking back on Rae's first few months, I know that I have improved on these things. However, I also thought that by a year, I would be over these things. This has discouraged me the most. I was expecting to be somewhere as a person and mother, and I'm not. It is an ongoing trial for me. I find and pray for ways to improve all the time. I know that I'm where the Lord wants me to be, which gives me the hope and courage to press on, especially on days that I'm really struggling.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Year One: What Motherhood Can Teach You

Okay, so I am horrible at blogging, just horrible. I try to be consistent and as you can see it only lasted for like 3-4 months! So, I decided to try it again....

Rae is one now, one whole year of my life dedicated to this little girl! It still feels surreal that I'm a mom, but it also feels like the longest year of my life! I have learned a lot of good things and grown in several ways, but I also still feel discouraged about a lot of things that I'm still struggling with. Today I want to focus on the ways I've learned and grown:

1. Somehow the Lord has shown me how to accomplish the goals I have set for myself and want for myself. The Lord knows my goals and knows my talents. He has commanded us to share and use our talents, so why wouldn't he help me accomplish them? Those things don't stop when you become a mom. I am still Charlie and I still want to do, and see and learn things.
Result: I've sewn, scrap-booked, run half-marathons, baked, created websites, hung out with friends (which is very important), begun writing a book, hosted play groups, and hopefully a service group.

2. I have goals and had goals. My goals are just different. Before I met Steven, I was planning a completely different life for myself. I didn't know when and if I was going to get married. I was going to go to grad school for Athletic Training, then maybe work for a college team. I wanted to travel more, way more. I wanted to also become a certified teacher. Now, realistically, I can't be an athletic trainer and the kind of mom I want to be, while having kids, until they are grown. I don't want to just wait around til they are grown to set goals for myself. I still have great goals, they're just different.
Result: My biggest goal. I'm hoping to go to grad school to one day open my own non-profit organization.

3. I believe motherhood is one of the ways we can become like Christ. I have dedicated my life to this little girl for YEAR, a whole Year! I feel like I've dedicated my entire life. I do everything for her. If I don't, she dies. It's that simple. I believe that serving her is a huge part of the reason that I love her so much. How could I not? She is most definitely my (and steven's) creation. (with some assistance from The Lord). If I feed her lots of sugar, she gets diabetes. If I don't feed her enough, she loses weight. I make her who she is. Everything that we put effort to in life, is something we love or are passionate about. The Lord dedicates His life and has given His life for us! When I serve this little girl, I get a glimpse of what it means to be like Christ. To truly be in the service of others.
Result: A great love and appreciation for my Savior, and trying to share that Christlike love with others, AND a whole lotta love for my little girl.

4. You can't sweat the small stuff. You just can't. You will drive yourself crazy doing it. I feel like I have lightened up a little, but still have a long way to go. Having a kid is whole hecka lotta work! Other things can and will fall through the cracks.
Result: My house stays messy for a day. or few.

5. I believe that we are all here to create families. Get married, have children. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be with Him, forever. All of us. He loves us so much, that he created families so that we would have that help, love, and support system to get there. He needs us to have good, strong families.
Result: I know that I am doing what the Lord wants and needs me to do. AND I will probably have more children. probably.

6. Life was never hard before having kids. I don't know why I ever thought life was hard before having a kid. I believe we all struggle with our own personal trials even those who don't have kids. However, for me, life was just not that hard before I had Rae. A "hard" day in the past was like 10x easier then it is now. I don't know why, and I don't know why someone didn't stamp that on my forehead. My definition of a hard day has completely changed. If Rae is still alive at the end of the day, its probably a pretty good day. Or if I didn't want to run away, it was probably a good day.
Result: I try to be more positive.

7. Believe it or not, which you may not if you were here the first 5 months of Raelyn's life, I DO love my child. I love to watch her grow. She makes me laugh everyday. And I tear up with joy when something makes her really happy. I miss her when I'm gone, well if its more than 5 hours, and I'm excited to see her when I come back. For all the struggling new moms out there, you will love him/her one day.
Result: She loves me back.








Thursday, March 27, 2014

Some of the Joys

Some of the joys of being a mom are getting cute pics and videos on camera! Here are some recent videos and pictures of Baby Rae! :) She does keep us entertained! :)








Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Trial and Error

I wish that all babies were born with a handbook. OR with the ability to talk. One of my friends and I always joke about how we'll like our children when they can talk, so they can just tell us what they need....how true that is sometimes.

As soon as I figure Raelyn out, and I got her on a schedule, she changes it. Its like she knows. Like she loves to drive me crazy! :) So, I got to thinking, what it would be like if babies COULD come out talking, or came with a handbook.

-We would know what they liked and didn't like. Do you even like walking around the park, or does it bore you death?
-We would know how they prefer their formula. "Shaken not stirred, please mom."
-What time THEY would prefer to go to sleep, and in what manner. "Please don't rock so fast, mom."
-We would know what they are randomly screaming about. Do you have an itch? Are you cold? Are you in pain? Do you just want your daddy? Do you have gas? Do you hate the outfit you're wearing?

One thing works one day, but doesn't the next. Why?

Raising a baby is just trial and error. Which would be fine, but once you figure it out, they change it. You also can try other people's advice because it worked for them, but somehow that one thing never seems to work for you.

My husband and I have had this conversation too often...
"what does she want?"
"I don't know."
"Let's try this"
"Sounds good"
"Its not working"
"Well, it worked yesterday."
"Let's try this."
"Okay"

I guess trial and error is the way to learn to be a parent. I'm just glad babies aren't really fragile. They somehow take all the stuff we as parents throw at them. Maybe its a good thing they don't talk, or Raelyn would always ask me, "mom, what are you doing?"

Happy Moment:
Raelyn has let me rock her to sleep like 3 times this week. She usually doesn't go down unless she's kicking and screaming. This week she just looked up at me until she closed her eyes and fell asleep. It was a great feeling. Like I'm actually getting somewhere as a mom.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Isolation: Cabin Fever

Sorry I haven't written in a while, somehow when you have a baby days get busy and hectic! :)

One of the hardest things that I am struggling with right now, and have struggled with since Raelyn's birth is isolation. I'm hoping other mom's can relate because I kinda wanted to do more of an open discussion for this blog, and hear from other moms and get their advice.

Since Steven is still in school, and works part-time, there are days that I'm home all day by myself and Steven comes home in time to put Raelyn to bed. I try to hang out with my other mommy friends, or make plans so that I'm not alone all week. Sadly, everyday can't be filled, so it gets lonely, and I sometimes feel isolated from the world.
Some days it's just me and my thoughts. I mean, I talk to my little girl, but she can't talk back. I usually end up narrating my whole day to her. When you are with your own thoughts all day, it can be deadly. Sometimes I end up beating myself up all day about what I have an haven't accomplished.

I didn't realize that this was one of my issues until recently. One day I felt like I had a good productive day. I cleaned the whole house, did several loads of laundry, kept my daughter (and me) alive, and worked out. On top of that, Raelyn was happy. However, at the end of the day I felt kinda sad and lonely. I realized that I had been alone all day and I didn't like it. It gets frustrating realizing that this could very well be my life for a while, and some days I just don't enjoy it. Most of these days, I find, are days that I'm all alone for more than 60% of the day. Since I only have one child, maybe it will be different later when I have multiple children and they are older?????

One of the things that is hard about being a full-time mom is learning how to be alone and stay sane, and learning to be at home for several hours at a time. It's just another one of those adjustments to life that I've had to make, that most mom's have had to make.

I'm still trying to figure out ways to not get down or unhappy on days that I have nothing on the calendar and Steven's not home all day. I definitely pray a lot on these days because I know the Lord will always listen to my endless thoughts and continuous rants.

Since I'm still working on this and figuring it out, if anyone has ideas, advice, or encouragement about this topic, please share!

On a happier note:
Today two of my mom friends came over, and we talked for FOUR hours. It was a blast. We were able to get a lot of our thoughts out, and discuss current events of today. It's days like this that make me realize how blest I am, and how grateful I am for my friends and family in my life who give me their love and support!