If Eric Ever Deploys....

If Eric ever deploys, someone remind me to buy this pillow...

No, just kidding. Walter has my back. But isn't this thing hilarious?!?!

I'm Learning...

While the Hubs is gone for several weeks to BNCOC, this entire experience is teaching me a lot about the kind of person and mother I am, and the caliber of person and mother I hope to be.

• I'm learning that I do need breaks from my children, to give me time to really relax. To reach that mental bliss where you're not constantly averting your eyes from the grown-up you're speaking to in order to count your child's heads, fingers, toes, etc., from across the room. It's like a nervous tick, and people prolly find it rude. It prolly is rude... Give me, like, 10 more years to outgrow it, please? Okay, 12 tops!
• It's good to miss them.
  
• They deserve a break from me, too. I'm the grown-up they're around 24/7, good, bad and ugly. I tell them what to do, when to do it. I'm taller. I'm bossiest. That must get annoying. They deserve a break from me, too. I'd never thought of it that way before tonight.
• I'm learning that, despite the fact that you are tired, you do need to get physically active to keep yourself (in the long run) feeling energized and healthy. And sleep, if possible, should be a priority, too. Those airline pamphlets have it right: "Adults, please place the mask over your own mouth before assisting your child{ren}." Basically, if you're no good to yourself, you are definitely no good to your children. That means fewer crafts get done... but, alas.
• I'm learning that I'm a little more high strung than I would like to be. *Sigh* It's constantly a work in progress; hopefully it won't always be. But I think I'm learning to role with the punches a little bit more. And really, what screams go with flow more than banana pancakes for dinner 3x in 3 weeks, right? Am I right? But in all seriousness, I read this tonight, I hope it goes through my mind and into my heart more often:

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11

• I should say "yes" more. It's easier to say 'no' or 'not now.' It's not just about safety or cleanliness or facing public ridicule or judgment, though that is sometimes a factor. Like, "Why do we wear clothes outside, Mommy? Why can't we jump down the stairs in your high heels, Mommy?" I do try to say 'yes,' but more than I'd like it's with reservations, like 'in just a few minutes, let Mommy finish {insert chore here}.' I should mean what I say more often. And I should mean "yes, immediately" more often.
• I'm learning just how much I value our family, how lucky we are to have a stay-at-home parent and a totally supportive working parent. It's our ideal, and we're living it. That's pretty spectacular.
  
• We miss Eric so much, but isn't it also completely wonderful how much we miss him? How much we value what he contributes to our daily life? And how much he does indeed contribute? We are so fortunate. End of story.
• I'm learning that, despite all the wonderful people we know here, I need to work a little bit harder at building active/social friendships with them. It can get a little lonely at times, new places and new faces, no real friends. But it doesn't have to if you make an effort. We will remember this at our next duty station. Party at our hiz-ouse!
• I want more Mommy-Daughter dates with my children, separately.
  
• I want more dates with my husband! Just us!
  
• I'm learning that, despite the stigmas attached to drinking alone, sometimes a Mama just deserves a small glass of wine and a hot bubble bath at the end of the day. Or a plate of onion rings, the panko-breaded kind, with Heinz ketchup with freshly ground pepper and just a sprinkle of seasoned salt mixed in. Just a random suggestion....
  

Now, on to that 'good sleep' thing....

That's Strength, Yo

I went to Goodwill today. I know, I know....
But I was on a mission to seek out more drinking glass jars. Of which they, sadly, had none. And we did the obligatory 'lap' around the store, with Hannah pointing out everything she found fascinating and me pointing out everything I found with potential and Amelia just pointing out everything. "Look! Light! Look! {S}thoes! Look!"
And despite the fact that I found an adorable pair of genuine red leather pointy toed kitten heels shoes that were most certainly new and fit like a glove and only $3.00 (and do y'all know how I feel about red? on shoes, no less??).........

I walked away empty handed.
(Well, I was empty handed if you don't count my two priceless girls.)

Because I need another pair of shoes like I need a hole in the head.
*Dramatic Sigh*

Think they'll still be there tomorrow?

Our New Bedtime Routine

Our new bedtime routine, now that Eric is gone for a few weeks and I shoulder this 'home stretch' myself, lasts from about 6:30pm to roughly 8:30pm. That is quite a home stretch.
I begin by trying to have the girls entertain themselves while I finish up the day's dishes, sweep under the table, and make sure they have done their chores (i.e. fed the dog dinner and put their supper dishes on the counter). Depending on how well they entertain themselves, or each other, without hurting themselves, or each other, this can take a lil' bit.

They we commence the climb up the stairs, while I look to grab the much loved pink blankies and a really, really well loved bunny. If Amelia decides she wants to climb the stairs 'aw by self!' then, this too, can take a few minutes. She has to keep looking behind to remind me she's doing it 'aw by self!' and to see that I have both her blankies.

Bath time. And one more chore for the girls: put your own dirty clothes in the hamper for me. I try to get the washing of hair and bodies out of the way first, so there's time to play while I'm just outside the doorway folding a load of laundry. Can't fold it inside the doorway, because there is generally splashing. Even though I ask them not to splash. Repeatedly.

Next, it's time to push the basket to the wall, and get the girls out of the tub. They like to lay on the towel on the floor for a minute or two, giggling with their heads together, while I rub the other towel on their backs and heads and little, pruned feet.

Then, it's a race to the bedroom, with me always in third, as I stop to fold towels and rehang them on the way. Time for pajamas, combing of hair, and one more trip to the toilet for Hannah.
This can take a little coaxing. Or, if coaxing fails, one could always threaten the loss of tonight's story books. Hypothetically speaking, of course.

When pajamas are on, and hair is combed, we reconvene on Hannah's bed with (hopefully) between 3-5 books. Depending on what time it is. And how many times Hannah was told to go use the restroom. Amelia picks at least one book, Hannah at least 3 (she is the bigger sister, and she utilizes all the rights this privilege entails).

Books read, hopefully without any arguing about who gets to turn the page. Take turns, girls.

Now, it's time to race back to the bathroom for a round of teeth brushing. Again, me always in third, as I stop to replace books on the shelf.

Teeth brushing ensues. God willing, for a gentle but vigorous two minutes. Spit, brush your top teeth, too, please don't spit on the floor, Amelia, no, I said 'brush your top teeth,' let Mommy do this for you, now,' etc.
We spit our final spit, rinse, tap, replace into the holder, wipe our mouths, and one more race back to Hannah's bed.

Now, the girls will lay side by side and we sing a few lullabies. This is where I'm cultivating their love of Sound of Music with a little Edelweiss and My Favorite Things, a.k.a. "Sing Raindrops on Roses, Mommy." If this goes well, then there's Five Little Monkeys or Twinkle, Twinkle, too. Depends on how much yawning the vocalist interrupts herself with.

Finally, or almost, a hug and kiss goodnight between sisters. A hug and kiss goodnight between mother and big sister. Double check that the really, really well loved rabbit and pink water bottle are in their proper places beside Hannah, then the gentle closing of the door.

Amelia and I move down the hall to her room, where she gently demands some Lullaby Ro-a-bye, Baby (at least 3 times), as she lays her head on my shoulder. And maybe the Alphabet Song just for good measure.

Finally, finally, I lay Amelia down in her big girl bed. Did you know she made the switch? Just last week... a big girl toddler bed... no more crib... With a kiss goodnight, and a final check that both pink blankies and purple water bottle are in place next to Amelia. As well as her meerkat named Meow. And her Elmo lovey.

Tip-toe out the door, and close it gently. *Sigh* of relief, and a check of the watch. Is it really this late already? Finally, finally...

Now, there was a point to all this rambling...

My point was, I do not always act out this routine with the grace, sanity, and calm volume of voice that God gave me. No, no. Sometimes not. Like, really not. There are no perfect mothers anywhere, least of all in this house. And I am not looking for a pat on the back here. This is what every mother/father/care provider does each and every night.

I simply write this down to acknowledge that... well, whether I always like it or not, I am privileged to be able to actively participate in this routine. This monotonous, redundant, frustrating, tiring, precious, much loved, looked forward to, almost sacred, routine. It is important to my children. Therefore, it is important to me.

My point is that last night, for the first time,

I realized that my nights like this are numbered.

Pretty soon they will be asking to take showers separately, not baths together. And they'll want privacy. And they won't need me to clock them to see how fast they can get their pajamas on. They'll have a chapter book they want to be left alone with, and not want me to read so many books, or any at all, to them. They will know how to brush their own teeth, and God willing, do so for a gentle but vigorous two minutes. They especially won't want me to sing to them, definitely no more Sound of Music. The list goes on and on... doesn't it...

Please, please let me appreciate this wonderful, precious, much loved, looked forward to, almost sacred, routine. Please let me coax more, threaten less. Please let me use my 'inside, happy voice' more, and my 'Mommy's getting pissed voice' less. Let me appreciate it more, and more often. Let them remember this routine with warmth and fondness. Please. I know I will.

Un Problemo

They say the first step to recovery is to admit you have a problem. Well, I have a problem.

Hello, my name is Amanda, and I am a Goodwill addict.
{Group says in unison, "Hi, Amanda."}

It started out innocently enough. Not only do I enjoy being frugal, but I was taught to lessen the impact of our 'footprint' on the Earth by purchasing items second hand, thus reducing the dependency on the consumer driven "new" merchandise economy and reusing an item already in circulation. Make sense? Yeah, my Dad explained it better, too.

But then, I started to enjoy the hunt. Too many times had I gone into Goodwill looking for a specific item, and come out with that item and more.

No, it started to feel too good to 'score' an awesome deal. It's like a high...
For instance:


A Liz Claiborne khaki 'safari' cropped trench jacket. I already have a coat, but I didn't have a jacket... Did I need a jacket? Well, only sort of... but it was only $2! Score!!


And, I swear, I had just read a cute tutorial on using these little ceramic containers as plant pots, when {{GASP!!}} there it was on the shelf at Goodwill! And only $1!!


And I have been wanting a mirror for either the living room, above the stove in the kitchen, or behind my lamp on my nightstand in the bedroom. Look at this gem!! It's a sturdy piece, too. For $2, plus a little spray paint, it's going to look VERY cute wherever I decide to put it!! If I can decide...


Again, I swear, I've been wanting glass drinking jars. They are adorable, are they not? We kept breaking our bar glasses (not on purpose) and I decided to start checking out Goodwill regularly to replace our glasses with drinking jars. So cute. And at just 50 cents each, it's really an economical replacement. I just need 4 more.... or... maybe 6 more? In case we have company?


Okay... So I needed a pair of flip-flops like I needed a hole in the head. But!!! They are Reef, and they still had the tags on them. Yes! Totally brand spankin' new! A good brand, and they go through the washing machine anytime I need them to. And I wear them a lot, so there.


Okay, so I did want a creamer and sugar jar set. I did! I just didn't expect to find it at Goodwill and replace my old set so quickly. The lid on my old one broke, and despite a little gluegun action, it was looking less chic and more shabby. So... at 50 cents each, this is a great set. I seriously heart the red floral toile. So stinking fabulous. And not so much a problem.




This is where my credibility gets dicey.
I think the lady at the register thought I was nuts, because I stood there biting my thumb and mumbling for three minutes deciding if I wanted to bite the bullet and buy a half set of gorgeous 'new' dishes for like $9. You know, to mix and match with our plain Target white ones. I think it's a cute idea.
Okay, okay, so $9.60 to be exact, which is my most expensive Goodwill purchase to date. Sheesh! Get off my back!
Anyway. I know she heard me as I said to myself, "My husband will think I've gone off the deep end."
I totally dove head first.


Okay, so this was behind the register and was totally impulsive. But at $5, why not?!
(P.S. This is my second largest Goodwill purchase to date. Just to justify it.)
I didn't realize Goodwill was smart enough to put 'impulse-buy-items' behind their register directly in my line of vision. It's like the same mentality that placed candy directly in the check-out line at the grocery store. It's so smart it's scary...
I was thinking it would be fantastically cute to store toilet paper in our new bathroom, or to stack my little plastic trays for hair things and make-up, or stack other trays in for my jewelry, etc... I have been wanting a bigger jewelry box....

Now, just so you know... all of these items have been purchased in between the last 3 weeks and the last 4 months.... so... it's not that bad. Right? Is it that bad? Crap...

Am I even allowed to browse after a drop-off donation?!

Good thing I didn't tell you about that cute blouse I got the same day I bought the jacket....

Things That Cheer Me Up

Facebook much?
Well, after my crab fest yesterday (because it was such a crab fest) I needed to remind myself just how good I really have it. Take a little stock, view the situation with fresh perspective, and get over my crabby self, if you will.... When I checked onto my Facebook page tonight, I noticed a cute little "5 Things That Cheer Me Up" option, which I thought would be very fun and fitting.
Here is my "Things That Cheer Me Up" list, and only the superficial stuff is subject to change.
1) Lattes, french press coffee, cappuccinos, and other assorted beverages of the coffee variety. If it smells like coffee, it can hardly be bad. Well, no... I take that back... Instant Coffee {{shudder}}


2) Comfort Food. Now I'm not saying that emotional eating is healthy, per say, but every now and again a girl needs to just eat what sounds good, and not necessarily what is the healthiest option for her. This week? Onion rings. I like the oven baked Alexia Farms kind, with panko bread crumbs, baked extra crispy. Oh. My. Gosh. Serve 'em up with some room temperature ketchup with a little pepper mixed in.... YUM.

Now that's my kind of emotional eating.

3) Little pretty things, like a favorite pair of earrings or scarf.


4) My Hubby. He really is my best friend, and I do so love him. Eric is really good at giving me perspective, he makes me laugh at myself, at life in general... He is very good at not taking himself, or 'the little things,' too seriously. He compliments my high-strung attitude well.

(And don't tell him I said this, but I look forward to having him back so much that I don't care how much laundry I have to do with him home!)

5) Being a Mommy. It is, literally, a dream come true to be a mommy, and especially a stay-at-home mommy. DREAM COME TRUE.

And I get to be Mommy to these fabulous little ladies! Now, wiping butts is wiping butts... and I look forward to only worrying about my own someday, but my kids are GREAT. It makes the mundane, stinky stuff that much more bearable knowing what good kids we were blessed with. They are funny, silly, creative, loving, smart, kindhearted, ETC., and I look forward to watching them grow and blossom.



6) Crafting stuff. All kinds of stuff. Sewing, knitting, painting, staple gunning (!), re-purposing something old into something new and useful, cutting holes in fabric shapes, stabbing a brad through there and hot gluing a pin on to call it a broach, whatever!

A finished product, especially one that can be enjoyed by someone you love, is really warming to the heart.

Okay. I'm done with this tangent now, too.

Two Down, Four To Go

Weeks, that is. Until Eric comes home. That is with the new (totally awesome and unexpected surprise of an early graduation) 6 week time table.
Most of the time it's fine with him gone. I mean, we're used to him being at work from 8:30-5:00 ish, generally only Monday through Friday. So no problems there. Outside of the normal 'problems.' And with a large person gone there's a lot less laundry, fewer dirty dishes, and less cooking (since I'm basically catering to the children and they prefer simple meals where nothing has been cooked together--and God forbid it's touching!).
And, really, with swim lessons available, and 2 story times each week available, and the weather being mostly hospitable for outdoor exploration... it was the best time, if there is such a thing, for Eric to be gone for 1 1/2 months. We can remain as busy as we want to.
Plus, I have to remind myself, we are so very fortunate that he's not deployed. It was only going to be 8 weeks, and now it's down to six. It's only 6 weeks. I know how lucky we are.
But, inevitabley, you have that couple days where it feels like a small portion of the world is crumbling down. Like, when a little one is sick and miserable and not sleeping or eating well, you're attempting to pack up an entire house full of goods while still maintaining a sense of non-chaos in the house and participating in all the crafts and 'dance offs' your children can desire, and the dog jumped up and ate your emotionally soothing and delicious chocolate cookie bar while you were up comforting said sick child while she should be sleeping, so you anticipate being up with both sick babe and dog tonight..... Ahem...
This is when you just really miss your best friend, partner, etc., to share in the wallowing for a few minutes before saying something goofy and/or letting out a huge fart while making a funny face (these are just random examples I've heard that husbands do... erm...) to remind you that the world, not even a small portion, is crumbling, and that everything will indeed be okay.

Everything will indeed be okay.

So, to wrap this up, most of the time we're fine. I feel like these will be the hardest few days for us, honestly. I'm already geared up for our trip to a fave park tomorrow. The lawn can kiss my behind for two more days. And we will get through this adventure with, among many things, a newfound appreciation for single parents everywhere, families of deployed spouses (past, present and future), and ride-on lawn mowers.

And dogs who hate chocolate and know better than to eat their Pet's dessert.

Oh, Insomnia. Bless your flippin' heart.

At least, it only strikes like 3 days (nights) out of every other month. And it gives me quality time for useful stuff, like checking my email and fave blogs multiple times, online shopping without actual purchasing, having a cup of coffee, changing the bed sheets, showering, dressing, attempting to style my hair and organizing my closet's switch from winter to summer wardrobe, as well as putting together today's load of laundry, all before 8 am. Loverly.
At about 8:05 a.m. I came to this: a picture post of random fabulous stuff. Fabulous!
Let's begin, shall we?

This is Mexican Lasagna. It is awesome, and you should make it. I adapted the recipe by skipping the corn and beans (our kids prefer separate sides), using ground turkey and whole wheat tortillas (tossing in some milled flax seed while cooking meat), making a simple lime/cilantro style basmati, and basically halving the recipe. It was still quite yummy, and filled my 9x13 pan.

This is Baked French Toast. It is awesome, and you should make it. I adapted it by using my 9x9 stone (thanks again, Lisa!), using whole wheat bread with crusts intact (I refuse to decrust my bread for anything), using about half the butter/sugar and twice the cinnamon, and adding a little milled flax seed into the egg mixture (to substitute for 1 of them). Delicious!


This is from PB Kids. I heart the PB. But unless it's 90-cajillion percent off, I cannot justify purchasing it. I'm thinking this will be my inspiration for artwork for Hannah's future bedroom, once we get to AZ. Paint on canvas, or cutouts of fabric Mod Podge'd onto painted canvas. Perhaps both? She wants her walls pink and purple, and I want an eclectic mix of brightly colored polka dots, stripes and flowers. I'm also thinking I'd like to applique some fabric flowers onto her floor length curtains. Girlie, but hopefully it will grow with her for several years to come. You know, until she hits 13 and wants to either cover her walls in High School Musical 8 posters or paint her walls black. I vote black paint.


Isnt' this adorable?! Me likee. I drooled on it a lil' bit at Target the other day. It would be like carrying a bag of butta on your arm. Mmm... butta...

Ok, this is the neatest thing! That Williams-Sonoma, they sure know their stuff. It's a pineapple slicer/corer thingamadoobie! I kind of want this! We actually eat a lot of fresh pineapple in the warm months, and it is pesky to slice up. What are the chances I come across this thing at the Goodwill....

This is my inspiration for Amelia's future bedroom. Again, either paint on canvas or fabric cutouts Mod Podge'd onto painted canvas... or both... I want her room in a shabby chic style with light blue and lavendar colors. Less pink. And again, it's PB Kids, but their catalog serves as inspiration only.
PB, I heart you! But you are too expensive. But I heart you! Call me?