As of Now...

• First a quick note to say by the end of last week I felt much better.  Keeping myself busy and volunteering at the kids school helped keep me from falling into a funk.  Next week I'll be volunteering in the library and I can't wait.  Books are one of my most favorite things in the world, so I'm really looking forward to helping the kids check out books and even shelf.  I'll also be helping with bulletin boards.  Score! (I know, my life is pathetic) Grocery shopping is a breeze without little ones at your feet.  I was able to keep my house pretty clean and even make the beds every day!  Oh, and went for a walk each day.  Double score!
• C had a rough start but by Friday was doing so much better.  I received an email from his teacher Friday afternoon about how well he did, no tears at all (on Friday)!  One out of five ain't bad!  I'm praying now that he'll be OK on Tuesday after a 3 day weekend.  
• During my down time after cleaning, shopping, cooking, laundry, you get the picture, I've been watching Pretty Little Liars on Netflix and I love it.  I am such a teenage girl!
• I'm on my second knitted baby blanket for my sister.  She's due in 10 days!!  In just a few, we'll have another little girl in our family, my kids will have a cousin, and I'll be an Aunt for the first time.  The joy I feel is indescribable. 
• Speaking of knitting, in October I'll be knitting a blanket with a group of women at a book store in a near by town.  We'll be knitting on size 19 needles!  This will be my first class and using such a large needle.  The blanket is gorgeous and I can't wait to make it.  
• I read a ton of books in the past few weeks.  I tend to use books to escape stress, fear, pain, etc.  With school starting, and the way I was feeling, I read 10 books in the past three weeks.  
• I think I might make baked donuts today. Comfort food helps too you know!
• I'm finally getting some produce from my garden.  3 Yellow Cayenne peppers, tons of cherry tomatoes, 3 large tomatoes (although there are tons of green ones) and finally I see ONE eggplant growing.  One million flowers on the plant and only one eggplant! Now I pray some gross insect doesn't eat it.  My basil, sage, and mint grew like mad.  I've barely been able to keep up with it.  I learned a lot this year and made quite a few mistakes; planted my tomato plants too close together, as well as my herbs.  Didn't plant enough of each kind thinking I'd get more than enough from one plant.  Nope!  Planted one green bell pepper plant and got nothing. Not one pepper growing.  Oh well.  Now I know better. I'll be better equipped for next year.  Looking forward to growing more and starting earlier.  And being more strategic with where I plant things!  
• Been enjoying this long weekend.  Spending time with family, eating picnic food probably for the last time with fall quickly approaching, reading, knitting, and planning to get back down to my craft space soon.  And by that I mean, once the kids clean up the play room because I can not get my craft on in a mess. I need order before I can create.  (I remember not being able to do home work or read a book in my bedroom when I was growing up, unless everything was in it's place.  OCD ya think??)
• As of now, I feel good and I'm ready to take on this new 7 and 1/2 hours of being childless adventure.  Maybe I'll finally get some stuff down around here......

Fantastically Fun February

This is going to be a fun filled, educational, nutritiously balanced, creative, and mindful month.  Yes it is!!

First, I've joined Erin's 10 day Family Re-Charge.  The purpose of The 10 Day Family Re-Charge is to re-connect with your family:

"To consciously focus on deepening the connection we feel with our loved ones, to increase

the amount of peace we feel in our hearts and in our homes, and to support each other on our journeys." - Erin Goodman

Erin will send an email to the participants each day, for 10 days, starting February 4th.  The email will contain ideas and activities to re-connect with your family.  I'm looking forward to seeing what she has in store for us.  I'll be sure to share our experiences here.

Starting February 6th, Heather from Beauty That Moves, will be hosting Whole Food Kitchen.  I am really looking forward to this "class".  I learned so much from her 30 Day Vegan, making some major changes in my eating habits and my outlook on food that thankfully I am still committed to. 

And let's not forget Valentines Day!  A has decided to make her own Valentines, C opted to purchase store bought cards and J hasn't made up his mind as of yet.  I'll get a lovey dovey card for The Husband (because he'll just love it, insert sarcasm) and probably something that has to do with his home brewing hobby.  I'd like to decorate a little for the day of love,  never having done more than a heart wreath on the front door, maybe this is the year to get a little more festive?

Off to Pinterest to get some Valentine Home Decorating ideas!!

30 Day Mom Challenge

OK, so here it is.  I'm going to say it.   Sometimes I'm not such a great mother.  Yikes!  It's true.


I try, but like anyone else I have my days. Days I wish I could start over.  On these days I go to bed at night and say the same thing to myself; Shelley you have to do better tomorrow.


Thankfully this is not everyday but recently it really hit home.


You see, I just returned from my girls only vacation and came home to my three little ones and The Husband.  I was so happy to see them, but then the noise came.  Oh my goodness, the noise.  After 5 days of being with just one other adult, on the beach, in a little cabin, the noise level increased to the point where I thought my brain would burst.


It's been several days and of course things are back to normal.  I barely notice the noise now.  (well maybe just a little.  it's hard to miss!!) 


So anyway, the guilt set in.  The guilt of how the noise level bothered me so much in the short amount of time I had been home, asking myself why I felt this way, what was wrong with me????


When The Husband and I decided to start a family, the one thing I knew without a doubt was that it is my responsibility to be the best mom I can be.  To keep them safe.  To let them know they are loved.  To have patience.  This is my job and I will not allow myself to fail.  


I found something to help me, to give me a boost, and some confidence; the 30 Day Mom Challenge on Pinterest.  Here is a great and fun way to help be a better mom:

30 Day Mom Challenge

 via imom.com

Sadly this is the best image I could get to share here with you.

I am taking on this challenge!  

I'm doing it for them

What fun, right? Why don't you join me on this little adventure?  I'll be sharing my thoughts here as I go through the daily goals.  See you in a few....

Holiday Tradition

The Town Fire Truck came last night with Santa.  This is an annual tradition for us and many children in our town.  You call the Fire Department, make an appointment, give a small donation, drop off the gifts for Santa to give to your kids the Sunday before and then they call you when they are on their way.   You try to surprise the kids by telling them something like"Let's go outside and look at the stars". (which has worked in the past)  Although this year that didn't work, J said "Oh I know why we're going outside, the Fire Truck is coming!"  I guess he's on to me. 

Anyway we all had a great time.  Nana and Poppy came because The Husband had to work late.

Look how happy they are.

You can only see C here but they are all getting a big hug from Santa.

Santa is pulling down C's collar so he can see his face better.

Talking with the kids.

They (the Fire Fighters) try to decorate the truck differently each year. 

Santa is touchy feely if you know what I mean???

Me, the kids, Santa, Nana and Poppy.

My mom, Nana. 

Getting the presents!!

Another fun visit from Santa and the town Fire Fighters.

The Great Outdoors Challenge

** This is the project I wanted to share with you days ago but my editor, who is The Husband, told me he needed a week off! 

The Children and Nature Network  has set out to establish the month of April as Children and Nature Awareness Month.  I first read about it here.  This could not have come at a better time for I have been concerned about the disconnect my children have with nature for quite some time. 

This disconnect I know is partly my fault because I have fears they will get hurt or stung by a bee and end up being allergic, break a leg, oh yeah that already happened, or get kidnapped.   I know, I know, I have issues.  

And because well, to be honest, I'm lazy. 

In spite of all this I have come to realize the benefits far out way my irrational fears.  I know for myself nature is very soothing and I can only imagine it is the same for children.  I have noticed my children seem to have an innate desire to be outdoors.  They really, really want to be outside and ask to go out everyday.

My own memories of being outdoors are some of my fondest.  I can remember lying on a blanket in the backyard reading books and gazing at the sky through the tree branches.  Walking through the woods and dropping pebbles in the stream or watching leaves float with the current.  Going to the beach and walking along the jetties, digging in the sand, and being excited and afraid all at the same time over the horseshoe crabs.

As an adult I still find comfort in being outdoors.  I once walked along a path through a bamboo forest in Hawaii. I have never felt more at peace.  I wanted to sit and never leave.  The sound of the bamboo as it banged into each other is one I will never forget.  It was ethereal.

Anywho, enough about me - The kids and I have set a goal to go outdoors every day this month. Rain or shine we will be outdoors!! We will be documenting our experience through pictures and sharing them with you here.   Won't you join us?